Role of the cannabinoid receptor 2 in neuroinflammation

Within the scope of SP10 we will investigate endocannabinoid synthesis and metabolism during neuroinflammation in two different mouse models of parasite-induced encephalitis. Here we will focus on CB2 receptor signaling and the connection with the recruitment and function of CNS-invading and resident immune cells. We will thus measure endocannabinoid levels in brain tissues of wild type and Cnr2-/- mice after infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA or Toxoplasma gondii, and CB2 receptor expression in infected C57BL/6 mice. Further, we plan to examine the effect of CB2 receptors on subset composition and effector function of myeloid-derived cells during neuroinflammation in parasitic encephalitis and therefore investigate cellular functions such as antigen phagocytosis and presentation, cytokine secretion, the expression of costimulatory molecules and T cell activation. As it is described that during murine and human cerebral malaria, changes in the blood brain barrier occur that allow cytokines and malaria antigens to enter the brain compartment, we will study the impact of CB2 signaling on effector molecules associated with enhanced CNS accessibility during parasitic encephalitis.